The higher the percentage (proof) of alcohol the more effective it is. Breaks up the tars into liquid and can be cleaned out easier. Some people swear by Everclear. I just use the denatured ethyl stuff. Works great.

Wow! Last night I cleaned the shank of a used pipe I bought a month ago with bristle cleaners and 100 proof vodka. The cleaners were filthy! I used about 10 of them and the first five were black.

I had cleaned it when I bought it before I smoked it but obviously not with alcohol in the shank. It cleans it so much more thoroughly.

Hopefully it will remove the soapy tasting ghost that has overwhelmed any tobac I have smoked in it.

Every time I buy an estate I dread having to clean it. If you only used 10 cleaners, you're good. I've had one that I used a full pack of 40 on one time and it still had tons of gunk in the shank. I have one now that I haven't started cleaning just yet, but it was pretty nasty. We shall see.

Though I admit I will use one of the cleaner, used, still-slightly-damp pipecleaners to dust ash out of the inside of the bowl, helps control the cake, I think. I also try and clean each pipe the day I use it. Just keeps up the habit.

Speaking of cleaning a pipe and using 40 pipe cleaners, I have had a few I had to use a wire to puch through , I have wondered on several pipes HOW is this even possible?, How can a pipe get this bad I can't concieve being able to smoke a pipe and get it this fouled up.

At some point how could one not know a pipe needed cleaning? like trying to suck mud through a straw? but it happens the estate pipes prove it.

I use Everclear, except for today when I ran out. The next highest proof spirit in the house was Ardbeg Uigeadail, so I finished out the rest of the pipes with that. Those briars better feel like they had a treat.

A while ago I had decided to try cleaning my cobs because I thought it had gone sour. I used Ancient Age which is a bourbon whiskey which actually tastes pretty darn good, *fruity drinks are more to my liking then something that strong, It's a taste thing* and I cleaned the bowl and shank which made the mortise swell. After a couple days drying it still wouldn't fit so I had to sand it down a bit and now it fits like a good shoe.

so if cleaning a cob don't leave to much of whatever you're using on the pipe cleaner and if it swells then either wait till it dries completely or sand it a bit.

A while ago I had decided to try cleaning my cobs because I thought it had gone sour. I used Ancient Age which is a bourbon whiskey which actually tastes pretty darn good, *fruity drinks are more to my liking then something that strong, It's a taste thing* and I cleaned the bowl and shank which made the mortise swell. After a couple days drying it still wouldn't fit so I had to sand it down a bit and now it fits like a good shoe.

so if cleaning a cob don't leave to much of whatever you're using on the pipe cleaner and if it swells then either wait till it dries completely or sand it a bit.

I regularly clean my cobs with pipe cleaners moistened with 91% isoproply and have never had a problem. Of course I follow up with a dry pipe cleaner to absorb excess moisture and to completely clean the shank.

I regularly clean my cobs with pipe cleaners moistened with 91% isoproply and have never had a problem. Of course I follow up with a dry pipe cleaner to absorb excess moisture and to completely clean the shank.

I will try this, I want my cobs to last a long while. I love cobs not because they are less expensive, I love them because they seem so... for lackof a better word, american.

I will try this, I want my cobs to last a long while. I love cobs not because they are less expensive, I love them because they seem so... for lackof a better word, american.

Cobs are pretty tough to kill, I've noticed. I smoke my Diplomat into the stem a little more than I would prefer, but it just smokes so darned good. I do take care of them, though. They deserve it. Since they are cheap, though, no harm if you miss a cleaning once in a while. And yep, they're an American original! I dig that part, too. In that regard, they're a real novelty across the pond with the Brits, Irish and Scots, too.

I regularly clean my cobs with pipe cleaners moistened with 91% isoproply and have never had a problem. Of course I follow up with a dry pipe cleaner to absorb excess moisture and to completely clean the shank.

I will try this, I want my cobs to last a long while. I love cobs not because they are less expensive, I love them because they seem so... for lackof a better word, american.

Well, then please read my Primer if you haven't done so yet. Lots of good advice from experienced cobbers.